We arrived at our hotel in London in the rain, after 14 hours of flying. We foolishly thought we would go to see "Wicked" as the theatre was near our hotel--ha, ha--instead we slept for 12 hours. Next morning after a lovely breakfast, we took the train to Gatwick. We thought there was a fast train but alas, there wasn't. It was fine as we had lots of time. And the train was crowded with people some of whom would stand for the 1 1/2 hour trip. A couple of people were taking up two seats one for their bum and the other for their suitcase. Hmmm.
Anyway we arrived and met up with Karen and then off to Faro and a shuttle to Praia do Vau and our place at Jardim do Vau. Lovely view of the ocean from our balcony and a lovely place to live. There were single beds in the bedroom which is common here in Portugal. Our first explore on the beach where there are lots of craggy rock formations. We were in search of groceries so we walked and walked and walked and finally found the Continente which is in a shopping centre in Portimao about 2 kms from home. We checked out the centre, had great hamburgers and chips at Hamberology, bought some food and took a cab home. Yay. Discovered later that there was a shuttle service that would have driven and brought us back!
The swimming incident: There is a lovely pool and hot tub in our complex so being as I had been exercising in the pool in Pretoria, I thought I would continue. Well, after donning my swimsuit, I asked the attendant for a towel and was directed to the front desk. There I was told that I would have to put a 10 euro deposit. Well, I had my swimsuit on with no pockets (and I didn't think to just put it on my room tab). Anyway, I thought OK, so I'll have a little play and then go home to dry. Well, there was Karen on her way to her room from the gym and she had a towel so she gave it to me. The pool was lovely but too deep for the likes of me so I went into the hot tub which was not too hot. Just as I was feeling quite comfortable, the pool attendant arrived to point to a picture of someone wearing a bathing cap. So I guess pool time for me just isn't in the cards.
Today a walk on the beach. We didn't get far before we encountered our first coffee stop of the day--a tiny place built on cliff so we could drink coffee and enjoy the craggy rock formations and the ocean. Then we walked in the sand and water with bare feet. The temperature was about 20 C. but ocean was cold. The scenery is breathtaking. We ended up watching some surfers having many great rides. Then we had lunch/dinner at a beach restaurant. George had the cataplana dish which is a mixture of seafood with veggies in a tomato sauce. Karen had prawns and I had a "mixt" grill. We walked home on the cliff paths as the tide was in so the beach was under water in places. A lovely day.
We took the shuttle to Portimao which is a sleepy town nearby--sleepy and in hibernation because it is actually winter here. We poked around, had coffee, viewed some quite amazing sculptures on the waterfront square. I must find out how the artists make the rock so smooth. It felt like polished marble in places. Also, there were some pairs of storks in or on their nests at the top of tall chimneys. Luckily, they didn't drop a baby on us!
Today we walked to Alvor which took us 4 hours. We walked on the cliff paths and found stairs to the beach which reminded us of Myrtle Beach. It was so long and wide. We were weary and delighted to arrive and had some needed food and drink. The town was very quiet--just locals but the good part was there was a taxi stand so we got a ride home--took about 10 minutes!. It was a great walk and we were happy to have done it. Now we are off to Carvoeiro for the next week. Gotta love Portugal.
Our place here is lovely. The town is on a hill so we walk up and down where ever we go. We had an interesting dinner on our first night. I had scouted the development and found that all the restaurants are closed "for the holidays" which could mean until March. Anyway, I encountered an English couple who have retired here and they directed me to where there are restaurants that are open. So we three, set out and found "Gale". It seemed quite busy but they had a table for us. We sat down and at the next table was the couple I had spoken to earlier. We chatted. Then a man and his son--aged about 80 and 55--sat at the table on the other side. The man had lived and worked in Canada for 9 years and has dual citizenship. He was quite chatty and kept us interested up to and beyond the complimentary drink at the end of the meal.
The next day started with a welcome meeting so we now are acquainted with others who are staying here. We went off in search of lunch and found "Vimar" which had been recommended as place with a lunch special. The waiter seemed to not understand when we questioned him about the menu and the deal. Had a flavour of Faulty Towers. Finally we got it sorted and had a tasty Portuguese meal including dessert. We strolled the village and are ready to go to the Intermarche for groceries tomorrow. It took us about an hour to get there but it was worth it. Loaded with food, we took a taxi home with a stop to buy oranges and avocados from a man who was selling them by the side of the road. We had a lovely dinner and played Quiddler. Yay.
A coach tour to Silves (read Silvish) and Monchique was the plan for today. The ruins of the castle in Silves were interesting and there were some sculptures from 2015 on the square. A fav was the one of men removing cork from the cork tree. Monchique is the highest point in the Algarve. (The Algarve is the province in the south where many tourists reside.) There are also many storks. Karen continued the tour of "Historical Algarve" and we came home to attend the wine and cheese gathering. The four couples of Brits there were quite whiny. However, we did meet a lovely woman who seems to have lived in many places including South Africa. We three, had dinner with her on Wednesday. What an interesting person. Her name is Antoinetta and our new question is "What would Antoinetta do?" and that helps us to decide to take a risk. We had a great chat and then people at the next table joined in as they were Canadians.
A tour to the market was in order for Wednesday. Our first driver was stopped by the GNR (police) for speeding a bit over 50 in a 50 limit zone. They seemed to have a thing going as there were many cars pulled over and waiting. A new driver came to get us to take us to the market. Driver #1 got a ticket for 120 euros. We learned later that it is possible to buy a driver's licence on the internet. We had a lovely poke around at the gypsy market--everything there. We bought a few things, had coffee and listened to a fellow from Chili play the flute--very lovely and haunting. We also had gelato which is always a treat. (I know this isn't Italy!)
Yesterday we had a holiday from our holiday--I did some painting and George sorted photos and Karen read on her terrace. The results of his work are on FB and results of mine on are the mantle. This is our last day in Carvoeiro--we walked along the cliffs and visited a cave which was like looking out of the window and seeing the ocean right there. Kinda of spooky. We stopped for lunch and then for coffee in a place that had a view of the beach and the ocean. We had a "search and consume" dinner. Karen is a tennis fan so we watched the Australian Open in German as that was all there was.
A movie was made for Karen's grandson, before we left. Karen was the star "going on a Bear Hunt". George was the photographer and I helped with the choreography and was the monster. Needless to say, the grandson loved it and wanted to come to Portugal so he could be in the cave holding his Grandma's hand. (He is 3)
So we are now back in Albufeira. This is where we stayed in 2007 when we were in Portugal for three months. A day to explore--still so beautiful --spent some time sitting on the beach watching the waves come in and then had coffee. And on to Lisboa for a day of wandering. Our first stop was a castle and a monument. It was raining and Karen didn't have an umbrella. We told her not to worry as someone would be selling them and sure enough for 5 euro, Karen had an umbrella. This is a city not to be missed although we mostly strolled through squares and had a lovely lunch ending with Port and of course, coffee. One square near the river had an arch, a replica of the one in Paris leading to a huge monument to a former royal. There was an elephant on it. Lisboa was leveled in 1755 by an earthquake and was rebuilt quite quickly by Pombal. The architecture and especially roof lines seem very ordinary compared to the Algarve.
Tuesday has arrived and other than going to the beach, our only task is to have dinner at "The Sizzling Stone" which was lovely--just like we remembered it. They serve your food on a very hot stone and you cook the steak or whatever to your liking. There is also vegetables--an enjoyable feast.
Our last days here were beach days with a little shopping added and of course, coffee. The sun shone and we walked and walked. Had another cliff walk to the Old Town which was lovely. There was a flood in the Old Town a while ago but things seem to be rebuilt and even the escalator was working. Somehow the beach seemed wider. We were entertained by a dancer on the beach, clad only in a thong. Her music source was attached to the waistband. She has great moves. Later I said that maybe she could have worn more clothes and left more to the imagination but George thought that he didn't have that much imagination. We encountered a couple from Manitoba and had a chat--especially George and the husband seemed to have lots to say to each other. People are so interesting. Oh, and we watched lots of tennis.
On Wednesday, we were walking and looking for a place for dinner and were enticed into a restaurant by a fellow from Brazil whose job seemed to be to get people to eat there. The food was fine and the service was good, so it was a win-win. Dinner at Edourdo's was our last meal here together. While walking there we had to go by the Wednesday restaurant. Sure enough the Brazilian was outside so we walked on the other side of the street so we wouldn't have to say no to his invitation. We ate at Edourd's in 2007 and it is just the same--even the same owner. He was very friendly and chatty and of course, loves Canadians. He served us Port at the end of our meal which seems like a tradition in Portugal.
Saturday, January 30 has arrived--our last day here. We all wanted to stay more but alas, we packed, waved goodbye to the ocean. Our driver from "the Yellow Fish Co." got us to Faro easily and then on to London and Gatwick --a couple hours in the air.
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